NCJ Number
37617
Journal
Judicature Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Dated: (OCTOBER 1976) Pages: 141-146
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE CATALOGUES SOME OF THE BRITISH COURT PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES WHICH COULD BE ADAPTED TO THE NEEDS OF AMERICAN COURTS.
Abstract
THE BRITISH COURT PROCEDURE OF FULL PROSECUTORY DISCLOSURE IS FIRST EXAMINED. THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT THIS EXPEDITING PROCEDURE COULD BE ADOPTED WITHOUT ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE CONVICTION RATE, AS MANY U.S. PROSECUTORS FEAR. NEXT, THE AUTHOR OBSERVES THAT BRITISH PROCEDURES FOR SUPPLYING LEGAL AID TO INDIGENT OFFENDERS COULD BE SUCCESSFULLY ADAPTED TO UNITED STATES COURTS. FOR EXAMPLE, BRITISH COURTS ALLOW THE INDIGENT OFFENDER TO CHOOSE HIS OWN ATTORNEY, THEREBY INCREASING DEFENDANT SATISFACTION. OTHER BRITISH COURT PROCEDURES WHICH THE AUTHOR FEELS WOULD BE OF VALUE TO U.S. COURTS INCLUDE: THE BARRISTER'S CLERK, WHO COORDINATES THE ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES OF COURT CLERKS AND BARRISTERS; THE LISTING OFFICE, WHICH IS AN INFORMATION CENTER PROVIDING AN ANALYSIS OF EACH CASE AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR DISPOSITION BY ALL POSSIBLE MEANS; APPELLATE REVIEW OF SENTENCING; CENTRALIZED COURT ADMINISTRATION; AND THE USE OF PARAJUDICIAL PERSONNEL.